Summary: Married life continues

A/N: Thanks for reading everybody. I'm glad you're liking it so far.

Chapter 4

"Auror Lutz, I have the potion you requested."

Severus placed the purple potion vial on Lutz's desk.

"It has been fully tested and will render an Auror invisible for exactly two hours. If the Auror needs more time, he can ingest more potion before he becomes visible again to extend for another two hours."

Lutz picked up the vial and swiveled it back and forth. "Will anyone be able to see them taking the potion if they're already under the influence?"

"I developed a special vial that will mimic the properties of the potion when in use. The vial will be invisible as long as it is in contact with the Auror."

"Perfect, Severus. I'll have your fee to you by the end of the day."

"Thank you, sir."

He turned to leave the office.

"Oh, and Severus?"

Severus turned back to the other man, arching a brow in question.

"I have another task for you."

Severus smirked. "Auror Lutz, if you want me to be your private Potioneer, you should have said so."

"You know we can't have someone on the payroll. They would be a target the second it went public."

"Then I thank you for keeping my safety in mind," Severus offered. "What else can I create for you?"

They spent a few minutes discussing the potion that Lutz wanted–an extended Polyjuice–and Severus was on his way back to Hogwarts.

Stepping out of the Floo into his quarters, he was happy to see his lovely wife sitting on the sofa awaiting his return.

"Did Lutz accept the potion?"

"Of course. He was most pleased."

Hermione rose and put her arms around her husband, kissing him lovingly. "I'm glad."

"He also gave me a new task to research. An extended Polyjuice."

"Severus, that's fantastic. It sounds like he trusts you to develop anything he wants for the Ministry."

Severus nodded. "He said that hiring me permanently would put a target on my back… even more than it already is since the war… so he would rather just work as we have."

"Well, we can't have people hunting you down, especially since you're going to be a father in a few months."

Severus froze. His eyes moved to hers, and he stepped back in astonishment.

"I beg your pardon?"

She placed a hand on her abdomen. "I'm pregnant, Severus," she said quietly.

"Pregnant…" He stared at her belly. "Pregnant… You mean…"

His hand joined hers.

"There's a baby in there?"

She nodded emphatically.

"My baby?"

"Of course, it's your baby, you git!"

He smirked at her cheekiness. "I'm going to be a father?" he whispered as he looked down at her abdomen again.

"You are."

He smiled and kissed her. "Merlin, you are amazing!"

"Well, you had a hand in this too, you know."

"I know, I know. It's just that I can't believe that… Hermione, this is more than I could have ever asked for."

He suddenly stilled and a frown crossed his face.

"I don't know anything about being a father. What if I cock it up?"

"We're both bound to cock it up. No one is a perfect parent, you know, and we'll be starting from scratch. I do have some books that we can read."

He smirked at her. "Of course you do."

His face fell as he searched her eyes.

"What if… what if I turn into my father?"

"Impossible."

"I am his progeny. He's in here with me." His hand thumped his chest lightly.

Hermione kissed him lovingly, trying to convey her feelings about the matter. "You have never–nor will you ever be–your father. He was an evil man who treated you and your mum horridly. You treat me with respect and love. I know you'll do that with our child, too."

He pulled her to him and hugged her fiercely. "I hope so, Hermione. I'll make sure I'm never like that evil bastard."

She hugged him back. "I know you will, my love."

Finally, Severus worked through everything and felt some hope deep within himself that he could succeed at this. He pulled back and smirked at his beautiful wife.

"We're going to be parents!"

She nodded before he kissed her senseless.

oooOOOooo

Hermione screamed as Severus grasped her hand. She squeezed him so hard he thought he might lose that hand. This had only happened every few minutes for the last hour. After a bit, she eased her grasp, opened her weary eyes, and stared at him.

"You're almost there, Hermione," Poppy said as she examined her patient. "I can see the head. Just one more push should do it."

Hermione whimpered.

"You're doing brilliantly, love," Severus murmured as he squeezed her hand.

Her eyes met his, and he could tell the stress and pain she'd been in had worn her down.

"I wish I could do this for you."

She gave him a wan smile.

"Okay, we're almost ready," Poppy said.

The contraction took over, and Hermione pushed and pushed. Once again, Severus' hand was losing circulation from her grasp.

"You can do it love."

"Push!" Poppy cried over and over.

Hermione cried out as she pushed as hard as she could. Finally, there was a small cry and Severus' eyes snapped down to where the baby had finally emerged. He watched Poppy clean it off.

"Well?" he asked.

Hermione was panting and too overcome to say a word.

"It's a boy," Poppy said.

Severus didn't know what to say. The Mediwitch cleaned the babe up quickly and placed him in Hermione's arms. Severus peered down at his offspring. The boy had his coloring, pale and dark all in one. He frowned to find that his son had also inherited his nose.

"I'm sorry, little one. You have acquired my horrid nose."

Hermione glared at him. "He's beautiful, and his nose is lovely."

Severus looked at her. "If you say so, love."

"I do. Now, do you want to hold your son?"

Severus swallowed hard. "I do, but what if I hurt him."

Poppy tsked at him. "I'll show you what to do," she said. "The biggest thing to remember is to support his head as his neck muscles aren't strong enough to support it yet. So put his head in the crook of your arm. Right, like that. See? Easy, right?"

Severus looked up at Poppy for a second and nodded before his eyes were drawn back to his son. The baby made some jerky motions, his hand flying up toward Severus. Severus extended a finger and the baby grasped it. Their eyes met, and he felt that the boy recognized him. He smiled down at the babe.

"I'll leave you three to get acquainted," Poppy said as she moved away.

Severus continued to stare at his son. He was perfect. Absolutely perfect. Hermione was right, his little bent nose was perfect. His fingers and toes were perfect. Severus fought back tears as he held the little boy in his arms. Hermione watched him with a serene smile on her face. He finally looked up and tried to wipe the tears from his face.

"He's perfect," he gasped out.

Hermione's smile widened. "He is, isn't he?"

"Here, you should hold him. You two need to bond."

He transferred the baby to her and she held him close.

"Now that he's here, what shall we call him?" Hermione asked.

"Well, we were vacillating between Alexander and Sebastian. What do you think?"

Hermione gazed down at her boy. "I think he looks more like a Sebastian."

Severus studied the baby. "I agree. Sebastian Snape it is."

Hermione smiled as she pulled the baby up and touched her nose with his.

"Hello, Sebastian. Welcome to our family," she cooed.

Severus' heart was full. He gazed down at the baby and was thankful for Hermione and her love for him. He was excited to learn about his baby and see what he would grow to be. He felt choked up as he looked down at him. Leaning in, he kissed the babe's forehead.

"Welcome, my son," he said emotionally.